Editorial content for the 2023 World Aquatics Championships is sponsored by FINIS, a longtime partner of Swimming World and leading innovator of suits, goggles and equipment. Team USA Names Captains For the World Championships in Fukuoka As athletes prepare for Sunday’s start of the swimming competition at the World Championships in Fukuoka, the United States has selected its team captains. Not surprisingly, veteran leadership is the defining characteristic of the athletes selected. Abbey Weitzeil and Leah Smith were chosen as the women’s captains while Nic Fink and Ryan Murphy were picked as men’s captains. The Team USA roster features a mix of experience and youth, and the four captains will be charged with fostering a positive team atmosphere and ensuring the United States carries itself admirably on the world stage. With the captains owning considerable experience from the Olympic Games and past World Championships, they’ll have the opportunity to impart wisdom and advice on younger swimmers. Weitzeil is scheduled to race the 50 freestyle and 100 freestyle in Japan, and will also see relay duty. Meanwhile, Smith will be part of the 800 freestyle relay. Murphy and Fink have qualified for a pair of individual events each and will also be valuable contributors to relay efforts. Murphy will compete in the 100 backstroke and 200 backstroke and Fink will race the 50 breaststroke and 100 breaststroke. Combined, Weitzeil, Smith, Fink and Murphy have claimed 29 medals at the World Championships. Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick
